Choquequirao express 4d/3n

DURATION

DISTANCE

ALTITUDE

LEVEL

START

FINISH

4Days / 3 Nights

58 km

2800 msnm -1550 msnm
– 3100 msnm

difficult – moderate

Cusco – Cachora

Choquequirao – Cachora – Cusco

Choquequirao is the second most important archeological site in Cusco region. It has a connection with the last Inca city of Vilcabamba and with Machu Picchu. It is in the middle of different Inca roads that traversed all of the Inca empire. After quite a tough hike we will see fascinating and remote Choquequirao (“cradle of gold” in Quechua) – awesome in design and also location, perched high on a spur above the Apurimac canyon – the third deepest canyon in Peru. This is the great place to see condors inhabiting the area. You must join us on this unforgettable adventure.

This short version of Choquequirao Trek is called Chasky Style after fast Inca messengers called Chaskies. Their job was to keep the Inca king up to date with the information from around Inca empire.

DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISCA:
We leave Cusco at 6:00 in the morning, in the direction of the village of Cachora, (2850msnm) from where we begin our trek. We trek for around 3 hours until the place called Capuliyoc, where we can see in the distance the archeological site of Choquequirao, in the canyon of Apurimac. We have a snack there while enjoying landscape and possibly condors. Afterwards we continue our descent for about 3 more hours to our campsite at Chiquisca (1950msnm).
MEALS: Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 2: CHIQUISCA – CHOQUEQUIRAO:
After breakfast, very early, we return to the trek, descending until the Puente Rosalinas (1550msnm) where we cross the Apurímac river to begin the ascent to our first rest stop, Santa Rosa. Here we can enjoy chicha de caña (cambray) and after continue climbing until the small village of Maranpata where we will have lunch with a beautiful view of the mountain edges and Choquequirao. After lunch we trek directly to visit the mystic Choquequirao archeological site in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset and gliding condors, later descending to the campsite close to Choquequirao (2850msnm).

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – CHIQUISCA:
On this day, if the tourists have extra energy, it is possible to visit the archeological site for further exploration. After we are satisfied with our visit of Choquequirao, we begin our return trip by the same route towards Maranpata. We descend until the Apurimac river from where we make our ascent to our campspot in Chiquisca (1900msnm); there we can take a nice shower under banana trees to relax from the heat.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 4: CHIQUISCA – CACHORA – CUSCO:
On this day, we continue climbing for some 3.5 hours until the view point of Capuliyoc where we can see for the last time the Inca construction of Choquequirao. Later we continue our gentle trek in the direction of Cachora for 3 hours where we will have our last lunch and say goodbye to the staff that helped us, and take the bus to return to Cusco. We leave you at your hotel.

On the last day tourist have an option to visit hot springs in Conoc located along the road back from Cachora to Cusco.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The time of hiking will depend on the group. The guide can change the places for having lunch and camping according to the physical condition of the group.

Each guide has his own way of leading his groups but always his decisions will be for the benefit of the tourists.

CHOQUEQUIRAO. This is an adventure trek. To enjoy it in full – bring an open mind, a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.

INCLUDED:

Transport in private bus to the start of the trek

Transfer to your hotel on return

Meals according to the program (Vegetarian option available)

Boiled water on all days for your bottles

Snacks for walking

Camping tents for 2 and 3 persons depending on the requirements

Inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest)

Camping equipment, dining tents, kitchen, tables, chairs

Cook and assistant cook

Kitchen/eating utensils

Pack animals (mules and horses) to carry the baggage and equipment.

Emergency horse

Wranglers to care for the pack animals

Professional guide who speaks English, Spanish and Quechua

Assistant guide for groups larger than 8 people

Entrance tickets to Choquequirao

First aid equipment and oxygen tankAn explanation two days before departing

NOT INCLUDED:

Breakfast the first day

Dinner the last day

Tips for personnel: guide, cook, wranglers (according to their job)

Sleeping bags (they can be rented in the office)

If you would like to rent an additional horse, the cost is $10 per day

Tickets to hot springs in Conoc

1 small nylon reinforced backpack to carry the things you need for the trek (camera, drinks, etc.)

1 large backpack or suitcase to keep the things you don‘t need in your hotel in Cusco until you return from your trek

Sleeping bag good for -5°C (which can be rented in Cusco)

Small flashlight and extra batteries

1 water bottle (1 liter) or a small plastic throw away bottle

Hiking boots

Tennis shoes

1 jacket (of nylon with hood and water and wind resistant)

1 Fleece Jacket

1 pair of gloves and hat of wool (they can be bought during your trip)

Sleeping bags which can be rented in the office for $5 per day and good for – 10°C.

Professional walking sticks can be rented in the office for $2 per day

Choquequirao express 4d/3n – 2015/2016

NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE GROUP

2

3

4

5

5+

PRICE PER PERSON IN USD

$ 1,010

$ 750

$ 615

$ 560

ask us for prices

If you wish to travel alone, you need to ask for a private tour, letting us know which date you wish to leave, and you must make your reservation a week ahead of time so that we can organize your tour.

If you wish to go with other people, check our group departures site to join an existing group.

Write to us to make your reservation and we will send you the form and the payment conditions

DISCOUNTS:

Students: $20 U.S. (only for students who have a current international student card – ISIC card) – due to the differences in entrance ticket prices

Children: $20 U.S. (minors of 16 years with proof of passport) – due to the differences in entrance ticket prices.

Volunteers in Peru: $20 U.S. (with a confirmation of volunteering activities)